Connacht head coach Pat Lam has made 12 personnel and two positional changes ahead of Ulster's visit to the Sportsground on St. Stephens Day.

Niyi Adeolokun, who switches from the left to right wing, and November's Player of the Month Craig Ronaldson are the only two remaining from the backline that started against Newcastle on Sunday.

Galway man Tiernan O'Halloran returns to take his place at full back while Ronaldson is joined in the centre by the returning Bundee Aki. Matt Healy returns to start on the left wing while the half back pairing sees Jack Carty and Kieran Marmion line out together for the seventh time this season.

Up front, only Eoghan Masterson remains from last week, switching to Number 8 to allow captain John Muldoon return at blindside flanker, while Academy flanker James Connolly completes the back row.

Ultan Dillane and Aly Muldowney form the second row partnership behind the new front row trio of Finlay Bealham, Dave Heffernan and Ireland international Nathan White.

On the bench, both Ronan Loughney and AJ MacGinty have been passed fit for inclusion in this week's match day squad. Academy players Shane Delahunt, Sean O'Brien and Rory Parata are also included among the replacements.

Commenting on the team selection and the upcoming game, Pat Lam said: "It's our first derby game at the Sportsground and there's going to be a huge crowd behind us. We are really excited to get out there on Saturday and determined to put in a performance that will keep our unbeaten home record intact."